Variable aperture curtain shutter for cameras



June 7, 1949. J. MIHALYI` VARIABLE APERTURE CURTAIN SHUTTER FOR CAMERAS Filed July so, 194s 5 ,Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.1.

illlllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHHH` JOSEPH MIHALYI INyENToRV BY my Mx ATTORNEYS June 7, 1949. J. MlHALYI VARIABLE APERTURE CURTAIN SHUTTER Fon cur-ms Filed July :5o. 194e 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.3.

FIG. 4.v

llll l l H'll JQsEPH MIHALYI ATTORNEYS FIG.5.

June 7, 1949. .1. MIHALYI 2,472,607

' VARIABLE APERTURE CURTAIN SHUTTER FOR CAMERAS Filed July so, 194e 5 shets-sheet s June 1, 1949. J. MMM. 2,412,607

VARIABLE APERTURE CURTAIN SHTTER FOR CAMERAS Filed July 50, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGJZ. FIG. ll

7 J3 83 54 lllllllllllli lf. 58 I 56 mgl" 17 57 JOSEPH MIHALYI INVENTOR BY wif/L A TTORNE YS -June 7, 1949. I J. M|HALY| 2,472,607

VARIABLE APERTURE CURTAIN SHUTTER `FOR CAMERS Filed July 50, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 121 FIG/7.

FIG. I6.

150 164 JOSEPH MHALYI 155 y `il-lll" INVENTOR 4 A ,i @w l5? ATTORNEYS Patented June 7, 1949 VARIABLE APERTURE CURTAIN SHUTTER FOR CAMERAS Joseph Mihalyi, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 30, 1946, Serial No. 687,093

21 Claims.

This invention relates to photographic shutters and particularly to curtain shutters for cameras. One object of my invention is to provide a curtain shutter in which the two curtains are permanently intergeared with planetary gearing so arranged that the two curtains may be moved together, or separately. Another object is to provide a shutter with two curtains which may be moved in one direction with a fixed-width slot between the curtains foi1 making an exposure, to provide an automatic means for closing the slot after exposure for rewinding, or setting, and to provide a means for setting the shutter with the required slot width at any time-that is, either before or after the shutter is set for exposure. Still another object is to provide a single shutter control with units of speed graduated into even spacing, or at any desired spacing, to facilitate setting the shutter. O-ther objects will appear from the following specification, the novel features being particularly pointed out at the end thereof.

Curtain shutters have tbeen almost universally constructed to move one curtain relative to the other through the operation of a clutch, or a slip clutch. Both of these devices usually suffer from the difculty that the clutch cannot always be made to operate at the exact required position, or at the desired degree of slip. The aperture between the curtains forming an exposure slot must be accurately held as to width, particularly during exposure. Moreover, almost all such shutters must be set while the curtains are in one specic location as, for instance, when set for an exposure. Some shutters release separate curtains, one after the other, but with such constructions the exact width of the exposure slot depends almost entirely on properly balancing the separate curtain Shutter springsan expensive and difficult operation.

I have overcome many of these diiculties by intergearing two curtains with gears so the relation of the curtains may be rigorously maintained, and by making certain gears planetary gears, the two curtains may be moved relative to each other without clutching an-d unclutching, and without the use of a slip clutch. I am awa-re that an attempt has been made to use planetary gearing in curtain shutters, but the adjusting means is not shown, or described, nor is the showing such that this necessary adjustment can be made through a single adjusting gear, as shown.

I have utilized planetary gearing for controlling my two shutter curtains, and have provided a mechanism for controlling the positions of these gears which not only ties the two curtains together for movement and adjustment, but which also, through the elimination of clutches and slip clutches, enables an operator to positively control and adjust the curtains in any rest positions.

Coming now to the drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a camera including a focal plane shutter constructed in accordance with and embodying a preferred form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the camera shown in Fig. 1 with certain parts being outlined in broken lines to show the relative position of the lm and focal plane shutter;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of shutter mechanism removed from the camera, certain parts being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary part-section, part-side elevation showing a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail showing a side elevation of the shutter-releasing lever and trigger;

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of portions of the shutter-mechanism control, certain parts being octnitted and the parts shown being in position for a slow or bulb exposure;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section through the mech.. anism shown in Fig. 6 with certain parts omitted;

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation showing somewhat diagrammatically the two curtains in the position they would assume when the shutters are rewound and adjusted for a relatively slow exposure, such as l/25 of a second;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but with the shutter slot considerably smaller than in Fig. 8 for a faster exposure, such as 1/100 of a second;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to the preceding figures, but with the shutter shown in a run-down condition after an exposure has been made;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail section on line II-II of Fig. 12;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view partially in section of a portion of the shutter-controlling mechanism as it would appear in a wound-up position when the shutter is set for a high speed;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail section through a portion of the shutter-tripping and planetarycontrol mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a View similar to Fig. 12 but with the parts in the position they assume when the shutter is released for a slow-speed exposure;

Fig. 15 is a detail part elevation and part sec- 3 tion of a release lever detent set for bulb exposure;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the relationship of a sickle-shaped lever and related shutter parts;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary detail part section on line |1--|1 of Fig. 12 showing the relationship of the speed cam, the retarded exposure cam, and the retard cam and associated mechanism;

Fig. 18 is a transverse section through a portion of the nlm-winding and shutter-setting mechanism;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary detail showing a shutter latch mechanism forming a part of a coaxially-positioned shutter roller support;

Fig. 20 is a plan View partially `in section of fi.

gearing including planetary gears connecting the two curtains, the gearing being shown in a shutter-wound position;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 20 but with the gearing and planetary gears shown in the position ythe parts assume when-there is a `slot between the shutter members;

Fig. 22 isa lfragmentary.detail showing one of the pulleys-and cords `for connecting the rst curtain to the ,rev/finding spindle; 1 and :Fig 23 `is a side elevation of a portion of the gearing ,including planetary gears and the rewinding spindle and associated mechanism.

My invention A'consists Abroadly in providing two curtains fwhichare always geared together, the

gearing including 'planetary gearing which permits relative movement between one curtain and the other as foropeningup a `curtain slot or closing down a curtain slot -when certain gears are permitted to ymove about other gears; this gearing also serving to hold the two curtains together when `the gear centers are held in a relatively-fixed position. I also plan to lconnect up the film-winding mechanism -with the curtainshutter mechanism to prevent Idouble exposures.

Referring -to Figs. l :and 2 wherein a typical camera, which may include my improved type of focal planeshutter, is shown, Fig. `1 indicates a camera having a body portion ion the front 2 of which an objective 3 preferably in a focusing mount of vknown type .may be mounted. The camera includes ,rounded end walls l and 5.a rear wall ,fanda `top .wall -1. A trigger operating a shutter-release lever passes upwardly throughthe top wall Ai on one side of the camera and a shutter-setting knob 9 projects from under a part of casing Hl on the opposite side of the top'wall 1. A speeddial ;I| carries graduations vI2. which may be '.broughtopposite to a pointer ,I3 -in the Window |74 to indicate thespeed setting of the shutter. Known typesiof brackets l5 are provided for a carrying strap. The top wall 1 maybe yprovided with the usual type of nder i6. AInsidecf .therear wall Blof the camera there is the usual exposure frame L1 axially aligned with the lens cell .-I'of the objective, `over which a lrn I9 may befreeled for exposure. A supply of film maybe carried by a spool 20 and there may be a take-up spool in a chamber 2| although Iprefer to provide a loose'coil 22 of the lmin the chamber 2| by loading a supply spool 2D in the supply chamber ,24 land reeling all the film into the chamber -2I in a loose coil, after which the nlm is drawn backwardly Aagain onto the supply spool y213, one exposure atatime. Such types of cameras are known and this Aforms no part of my present invention.

Referring to Figs. 4,8, 19, fand '10, my present shutter is `like many `curtain shutters in that it includes two curtains'which may be designated linksAB and 41 connected Aby ,alink 43.

as a first curtain 25, since this curtain is the rst curtain to move across the exposure aperture I1, and a second curtain 26, since this curtain is the second curtain to move across the exposure aperture I1 in making an exposure. The curtain 25 may be attached by means of tapes, or cords, 2:1 to pu1leys'28-and the second curtain25 may be attached as .byitapes, or cords, 29 to a spring-driven take-up roller 30. Curtain 25 is directly attached to a spring-driven, take- ,up roller I3|; .thesprings 32 of roller 30 and the springs33 of roller 3| always tending to wind their respective curtains thereon. As thus far described, the construction is known.

Thefcurtain .26 and its tapes 29 may be wound :upon the drum .34 :when the shutter is set, this drum .lying coaxially with the pulleys 28. The curtain 25, when Wound, is at least partially .wound on the pulleys 28. In referring to these two curtains in the specification and claims, I refer .to thecurtans themselves land to their tapesand/or cords ywhich form parts of the curtain. Thus,4 curtain 26 includes the tapes 29 and curtain V2'5 includes the Vcords-2:1.

As briefly pointed out above, .I lgear the two curtains .25 Tand 23 together iby gearing, including planetary gears, which permits lthe -two curtains to move as afsingleunit lwhen-the centers of the planetary gears are held stationary. When the centers of the planetary -gears are permitted to move, one curtain may move relative to theother for opening lup an exposure slot E `between the curtains, .or ,may Amove for .closing the slot E so that the curtains will lie in `overlapping relationship, permitting the shutter `to be set without permitting light vto pass through .theexposure aperture l1.

rIhis gearing, best shownin Figs.v.7, 20, 21, and 23, is arranged ;as follows: A sleeve shaft .35, Fig. 23, Icarries gear 36, this gear meshing with planetary gear 31 carried on .the stud `38. Gear 31 meshes with a planetary gear 39 carried by a stud 49. Gear v39 meshes with a gear 4| carried by the fixedaxis shaft 42. Gear il meshes with f a gear 43 .carried -by ashaft 44 which, as best shown in Fig. vil, is .connected through vthe drum 34 to turn this'drum. On lthe other hand, gear 3E is connected `to the sleeve shaft 35 which, in turn, is connectedzto pulley 28 carrying the cords 21, forming a part 1of :the shutter `25.

The axis of `shaft 44 is xed and the axis of shaft ,42 is .also fixed so ,that while the gear 4.1 may turnabout athe shaft`42, it `does not change its position relative to gear .43 connected to the drum 34, AFigs.,23 .and 4. However, the gears 3,6 and `.43 may move differentially through movement ofthe planetary gears 31 and 39. Since the vformer Igear is connected .to the pulleys ,2 8 and since the lattergear isconnected to the drum the lcurtains 25 and 26 may be ,adjusted relative to each other to vary vthe s1ot,E.

Gear 31 is mounted .on .the stud .39 `and ,this stud, together with .the stud 40, is movably mounted on what l*may be considered as parallel Thus, the centersof the studs 4.9 ,and .38 may swing between the positions indicated in Fig. 20 .and Fig. 21 and when this occurs, the pulleys .28 and the drum 34 will be differentially moved, thereby changing` the relative ,position of the curtains 425, and 26. It is, therefore, ,necessary :to Aprevent the studs 38 and `t0 from vchanging positionA ex.- cept when vit is ,desirable to Achange vthe relative position .of the curtains v.215 .and 26. Relative movement is required when the .shutter .is being set vfor an exposure to determine the width of the slot E, and, at the -completion of an exposure when it is desirable to entirely close the slot E so that the shutter can be rewound or set. At other times, in making an exposure and in rewinding, fixed relation of shutter curtains 25 and 26 is required.

To control the movement of the planetary gears, the mechanism best shown in Figs. 12 `and 14 is employed. A pin 50, Figs. 12 and 14, extends upwardly from the pulley 28 and this pin makes approximately one revolution for the complete travel of the shutter across the exposure aperture and for rewinding. This pin 59, during the rewinding movement, turns in a clockwise direction, moving from the Fig. 14 to the Fig. 12 position. As it moves toward the end of its movement, this pin strikes a lug 52 on the end of a short arm 53 of a sickle-shaped lever 54, this lever being pivoted upon a stud 55 to turn between its Fig. 12 and Fig. 14 positions. When in its Fig. 12 position, the cam surface 56 of the sickle permits the lug 51 to position a latch 58 pressed by a spring 59 towards the cam 56. This positions a stop 69 in the path of a lug 6|, this lug being formed on one end of the plate 46 which forms one of the parallel links carrying the planetary gears. The position of the stop 60 therefore controls the position of the parallel links and, consequently, the relative position of the two curtains. Fig. 12 shows the relative position of the planetary gears when the shutter is set for a high speed. Fig. 14 illustrates the position when the shutter is set for a slow speed.

The trigger 8 is, as best shown in Fig. 5, notched at 62 and mounted to slide vertically in bushing 63, a pin 64 and slot 65 preventing turning. One end 66 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 61 to a bracket 68 engages notch 62 and the other end 69 is adapted to press on pin 10 of release lever 1|. A spring 12, Fig. 6, holds the pin 10 against bell crank arm 69. Release lever 1| is pivoted on a stud 13 and has a series of arms 14, 15, 16, and 11.

The end 18 of arm 15, is positioned to engage a notch 19, Figs. 12 and 13, in the upper flange 80, Fig. 18, of the pulley 28, and the lower flange 8| thereof includes gear teeth 82. This holds the curtains against movement, but pressure on trigger 8 moves lever 1| in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 6 swinging the end 18 of arm out of notch 19 in pulley 28, Figs. 12 and 19, permitting the spring rollers 32 and 33 to move the curtains together, so the slot E passes the exposure aperture I1 to make an exposure.

The pin 50 meanwhile swings counter-clockwise, until, as shown in Fig. 14, strikes the opposite side of flange 52, as shown in Fig. 14, thereby moving sickle 54 to the position shown therein, swinging latch 58 about its pivot 83 and against the pressure of its spring 59 so that the stop 60 no longer prevents movement of the planetary gears 31-39, which may therefore move. The spring rollers 32-33 can therefore move the second curtain 26 into overlapping relationship with the first curtain 25 and the shutter may then be set.

Arm 14 of lever 1| controls the extent of movement of the arm about pivot 13. The turned-up end 85, Fig. 6, may lie against a series of surfaces on the cam 86, which surfaces are 81 for bulb exposures, 88 for slow automatic exposures, and 89 for high-speed exposures.

When the trigger 8 is pressed, lever 1| swings Cil counter-clockwise about its' pivot 13. When controlled by cam surface 81 for bulb, the lever 1| swings a maximum distance and the arms 16 and 11 are operatively positioned as follows: Arm 16,

. through its downwardly-formed lug 90, Fig. 6,

pulls one end of retard pallet 9| against the starwheel 92 of gear train consisting of a plurality of gears 93, 94', 95, 96, and 91; the latter meshing with gear segment 98, thereby locking the train until trigger 8 is released. Thus, releasing trigger 8 permits lever 1| to return under its spring 12 to its initial position. Curtains 25 and 26 travel together onto their respective spring rollers 32 and 33 with a slot E between them making the exposure. After the pulley 8| has made one revolution and pin engages flange 52 of sickle 54, the sickle is turned clockwise about its pivot 55. Sickle 54 carries latch 58 outwardly so that stop is slipped off lug 6| of parallel link 46, permitting the planetary gears to move. Shaft 44, Fig. 4, is then free to move and curtain 26 may follow curtain 25, closing the exposure aperture l1.

When the end 85 of arm 14 is restricted by surface 88 of cam 86, Fig. 6, the shutter is retarded for slow, automatic exposures. The pallet 9| is permitted to engage the starwheel 92 and the gear train retards the movement of the arm 99 pivoted at |90 through the engagement of end |0I, Fig. '7, with the cam |02 carried by, and forming part of, link 46. The end |01 is diagrammatically shown in Fig 20 with the path of movement about its pivot |00 dotted in at P. The parallel link 46 is therefore retarded through end pin ll| and -cam |02.

For short, automatic exposures of 1/10 and 1/25, for instance, Fig. 6, the movement of the release lever 1| is such that pallet 9| is moved away from starwheel 92 by arm 11 engaging lug |94 of lever |05 pressed by spring |66 in a clockwise direction about pivot |01. Thus, only the gears 93 to 91 retard through end pin 16| and cam |02.

For fast, unretarded exposures as l/,o to

" IAOGQ of a second, the cam ||0 moves arm 99 to an inoperative position in which pin |0| is entirely out of the path of cam |02, forming part of parallel link 46. The exposure is then solely determined by the width of the slot E between the curtains and the power of springs 32 and 33.

It might be possible for an operator to accidentally, or purposely, depress the release 8 and immediately release it before a complete cycle of operation can take place. This type of releasing would not make much difference for any except slow, automatic exposures, such as exposures of 1/10 of a second, and slower. However, I have prevented such improper operation. The sickle 54, as best shown in Figs. 12, 14, and 15, is provided with a hook |54 which is carried by arm 53 and is spaced from lug 52. This hook may engage, or lie over, the top of arm I3, which is an extension of release lever 1|, arm 15, or in a notch l2 in arm |3, according to the position of the lever 1|. This hook |54 moves clockwise when lug 52 is struck by pin 50 moving through its counter-clockwise path, thus moving the sickle 54 and hook |54 to an operative position. If lever 1| is in position for lug 85 to engage cam surface 89, the hook |54 may engage notch ||2. If the lug 85 is in engagement with cam surfaces 81 or 88, then hook |54 will pass over the top of the end of the arm, so that in both cases the trip lever is unable to immediately return under the impulse of spring 12 to its normal position of agarrarse?? 'pulleyi 28 (upper and.' lower) is'. provided. withv` gears, the teeth 82 of which each mesh'with simi-- lar pinionsl I'I, carried by shaft ||8 which turns onbearings H9 sotl'i'at both pulleys 28 turn together at all times. The upper pulley 281s keyed to the sleeve shaft 35 carrying gear 55 which isvf affixed center gear about which planetary: gear 31 may move circumferentially'.

The lretardcarn I I9, the part retard and.bulb cam 99, and a speed-adjusting cam |20 'are all carried on a shaft I 2| and allturn with this shaft. Shaft |2| is carriedby the shutter mechanism. plate |22 and may, of course, be turnedby the knurledy ring 9 which brings the shutter speed graduations 25 beneath the window pointer I3.y to indi-cate` the shutter speed setting.

A bell crankr lever |23, 12-13, iszpivotedA at |24-to mechanism plateV |22 and a spring |25 tends to turn thelever counter-clockwise; This tendency holds lever end|26 against the speedadjusting cam |20, and the other endI |21 of the bell crank lever |23 carries the stud 83 pivotally supporting latch 58.which spring 59 holds against cam 55 of the sickle lever. The'position of bell crank 581 positions'stop 50 and-consequently controls the shutter speed by controllingl possible' movement of the planetary gearing.

Shaft l2 vhas been describedvas havnga fixed axis', that is, the shaft'cannotswing when planetary gears 3.1 andv39 swing about thefgears 36 and 4|. Therefore, shaft l2 can be used for setting the shutter. This shaft is, Fig; 18, brought down through the bottom camera wall ld-and is connected to a windingknob l5|-througfh a clutch bar |52 entering clutch groove |53 when the knob |5| is moved against the pressurev of a spring` |54 being guided by slot |55 and'pin |56. Thus, the knob does not normally turn with shaft 42 and gear li i, but may turn theshaft l2when the. knob is forced toward the camera' body. After anexposure knob I5! may be turned to turn gear 4|: and with it the planetary gearing,l this gearingv` first winding the curtains in closed condition past the exposure aperture I'i and after so Winding, the planetary gears may move to open an exposure slot and until parallel link i6 abutment 6| `comes to lrest upon stop Sil at' its previous setting. This setting-the position of lever 58--can be'adjusted either before or after setting through the speed-setting cam |29 and lever |23.V

The parallel link l5 is formed' ofy a plate having, cam Iii?, as above explained, and italso. includes anote-h' If-ii for the reception ofza spring latcharm |39.- This arm is carried-by a lever- |32 mounted on the Divot |33 carried by armiSl of. the sickle lever 5i. Av spring ld normallyy turns lever arm |35 into contact with a turned-up section |35 of the sickle lever 54, so that the endl |30. of this lover may` run on tl'iefcam Iiiil of the parallel link i5 and snap into thefnotch. |5 |r without disturbing sickle-arm 541 The reason forv this is that the spring latch |39 may snap intonotch |3| at the end of the gear train movement. as the gear train must return to its-position of rest' after aretarded exposure. The latch |39 is;. ofcourse, movedout of the: notch |31-- when the'. pin 50,.turningclockwise,.-Fig. 12;.strik'es lug. 52;

and moves the sickle lever 54about'its pivotS:

Thus, Fig. 12 shows. theparts ready to make an.. exposure of, say 1/1000 of yasecond with the shutter Wound.

. Since shaft 42f.turns a fixed distancefor set-. ting ,the shutter, I prefer to also use this shaft as., a control for winding film, thus preventing double.

exposure, butsince this forms no part of-,mypresentA invention, it is not being further shown,.ora

described.

The construction of my shutter is such that the curtains 25 and 2S are always geared tof-- gether whether moving in unison for exposuref and rewinding, or moving to vary or close theingY the slot completely for rewinding.

finite and predetermined. The operation from.

the standpoint of an operator is extremely simple4 and yet, results are exact. To make an exposure, thev operator turns knurled disc-9 until the speed .i dial indicates the speed-V25 of av second in.

Fig. 1. Film and the shutter are simultaneously positioned for exposure when knob |5| is clutched.

to shaft 52 `and turned.

This turns gear lll and the rst curtain gear 36through planetary gears 3l and.39,.and also.

ing lug 52 of sickle lever 54, driving it to its Fig..

12 position about its pivot 55.

During the winding movement, the spring latch |36, Fig. 14, is in engagement with the',

notch ISI of cam |92 formed on one of the parallel links 46 preventing movement of the planetary gears during rewinding. The sickle leverl- Pin 59, moving;

54 is in the Fig. 14 position. clockwise, strikes lug 52 on the sickle lever 54; thus moving lug |39 out of the notch" |3| incarnv link 415. Spool iiariges 28 are held against' movement when release lever lug 'I8 engages notch 'I9 of pulley 28 and winding is limited by the pin 5|), striking lugs 52. When the first curtain 25 stops, as above described, the second'curtain 25 can be still further Wound and the" dial does not, at this point, affect winding, as lug 6| snaps past stop |39, as latch 58 permits this movement because of spring 59, returning im- .mediately toa position in which lug 51 rests on cam 55oi'sickle lever 54.

However, when the operator releases knob |2I,

the tension' on the second curtainl 26, due to' spring roller 39, moves shaft counter-clockwise until'lugiii-strikes stop 6|) which has been previously set for the desired speed. Thus, the required width of slot is automatically formed in rewinding, and it is only necessary to press trigger 8 to release the shutter.

When triggerv 8 is depressed, the bell crank; lever, pivoted at 5l, moves release lever 'Hi counter-clockwise about its pivot 13 against the'- The extent of this move-- i pressure of spring l2. ment varies with the position of the cam 86as ing cam surfaces, `8l, 88, or 89.

curve forhigh speeds.

and notchLlS. to. releasev the shutter, when trigger 9 8 is depressed. The parallel link 46 being held against movement by lug 6l and abutment 50, an exposure is made with the curtains moving exactly together because of the gearing.

With the shutter construction described above, the relationship of the curtains is always exactly7 maintained. Being geared together by gears, including planetary gears 3'! and 39, movement of the centers of these gears permits relative adjustment of the curtains ior opening the slot E and closing the slot for rewinding. At any given position of the planetary gears, the shutters bear a predetermined relationship. It is, therefore, a simple matter to maintain the slot E at the exact setting required. Clutches and slip clutches, which usually result in inexact structures, are entirely omitted.

I claim:

1. A controlling device for curtain shutters of the type having two clLtains normally covering an exposure aperture, two spring rollers, one attached to each curtain for supporting one end of each curtain to one side of the exposure aperture, and coaxially arranged rollers, one supporting each curtain on the opposite side of the exposure aperture, the combination with said curtains and their supporting rollers, of controlling mechanism comprising gearing interconnecting the coaxially arranged rollers, and including a gear attached to each of the two of d the coaxially-supported rollers, one for each curtain, gearing connecting said two gears including at least two movably-mounted intermeshing gears, means for shifting the axes of the movably-mounted gears while maintaining all gears in mesh, said controlling mechanism also including means for moving the shiftable axes of the movably-mounted gears to predetermined positions to adjust the width oi an exposure slot between the curtains.

2. A setting device for curtain shutters, as dened in claim 1, characterized by the movablymounted gears being ca-rried by a movable parallel link support for shifting the axes of said movably mounted gears, an end of each parallel link being pivotally attached to a movable link whereby two gears of the gearing may move relative to the gears attached to the coaxiallymounted rollers carrying one end of each curtain.

3. A setting device for curtain shutters, as defined in claim 1, characterized by the movablymounted gears being carried by a movable parallel link support for shifting the axes of the movably mounted gears, one of said parallel links including a cam, and a retard mechanism cooperating with said cam to determine the speed of movement of the parallel links.

4. A setting device for curtain shutters, as defined -in claim 1, characterized by the movablymounted gears being carried by a movable parallel link support, adapted to shift the centers of the movably-mounted gears, and mechanism for controlling the position of the parallel links and thereby governing the width of an exposure slot between the curtains.

5. A controlling device for curtain Shutters of the type having two curtains normally covering an exposure aperture, two spring rollers, one attached to each curtain for supporting one end of each curtain to one side of the exposure aperture, and coaxially-arranged rollers, one supporting each curtain on the opposite side of the exposure aperture, the combination with said curtains and their supporting rollers, of controlling mechanism comprising gearing interconnecting the coaxially arranged rollers, and including a gear attached to two of the coaxiallysupported rollers, one for each curtain, one gear being mounted on a xed stud, a movable parallel link support carrying the movably-mounted gears whereby the latter may swing about and remain in mesh with the gears having fixed centers for turning one gear attached to a coaxiallysupported roller for one curtain relative to the other gear attached to another coaxially-supported roller for the other curtain whereby one curtain may be moved relative to the other curtain, and a manually-adjustable mechanism to control the movement of the parallel link support.

6. A controlling device for curtain shutters of the type having two curtains normally covering an exposure aperture, two spring rollers, one attached to each curtain for supporting each curtain to one side of the exposure aperture, and coaxially-arranged rollers, one supporting each curtain on the opposite side of the exposure aperture, the combination with said curtains and their supporting rollers, of controlling mechanism comprising gearing interconnecting the coaxially arranged rollers, and including a gear attached to two of the coaxially-supported rollers, one for each curtain, one gear being mounted on a fixed stud, a movable parallel link support carrying the movably-mounted gears whereby the latter may swing about and remain in mesh with the gears having xed centers for turning one gear attached to a coaxially-supported roller for one curtain relative to the other gear attached to another coaxially-supported roller forl the other curtain whereby one curtain may beV moved relative to the other curtain, a manuallyadjustable mechanism to control the movement of the parallel link support, a gear retard having a movable gear-retarded arm, a cam on one of the parallel links and means for varying contact of the gear-retarded arm and the cam to control the speed of movement of the parallel link support.

7. The shutter-setting device, defined in claim 1, characterized by a detent in a coaxially-arranged roll for one curtain, and a release lever"4 normally engaging said detent.

8. A controlling device for curtain shutters of the type having two curtains normally covering an exposure aperture, two spring rollers, one

attached to each curtain for supporting each curtain to one side of the exposure aperture, and coaxially-arranged rollers, one supporting each curtain on the opposite side of the exposure aperture, the combination with said curtains and their supporting rollers, of controlling mechanism comprising gearing interconnecting the coaxially arranged roller-s, and including a gear' attached to each of the two coaxially-supported'v rollers, one for each curtain, a gear having aI xed center of rotating meshing with one gear attached to one coaxially-suported roller, twoy planetary gears, one meshing with the gear havmined position for maintaining a predetermined vcurtain slot between the two curtains, a shutter release, a latch on a coaxial curtain roller, the

shutter'release releasing the latch whereby the curtains may be wound` on their respective spring f,

rollersto make; an exposure,- and mechanism: for releasing-the stop against which thel parallel-I links rest to permit movement of thev parallel links whereby the; planetary gears may move, thexspring rollersy movingy the ycurtains into overlappingrrelationship'as the planetary gears move.'

9;-,Azcontrolling ldevice for `curtain shutters of thetype denedV iny claim 8; characterizedl by a mechanism .ffor swinging the stop against which the. parallel links: may `rest to various: positions, 10 and agmanualsetting mechanism for swingingtherstop.

101A"` controlling'device for curtain shutters ofLtheztype 4,dened in: claim 8,v characterized by a mechanism for swinging the stop against which 15- tl'ieLparallel links/may restto various positions, andifanmanual setting mechanism for swinging the` stop and 'comprising a sickle-shaped lever.

11. A-controlling device forcurtain shutters of theitypedened inclaim-S, characterized-by a 20 mechanism: for swinging the Y stop against which the` parallel links may restto various positions, and azmanual settingmechanism for swingingv the' stop andycomprising a sickle-shaped lever, and a-pirrcarried by one `of tl'xe'coaxially-mount 25 edwrollersvlforengaging and movingl the sickle-y shapedf lever' after an; exposure-making move ment of7 the coaxiallyfmounted rollers,

12@y Ai-con-trolling devicel for-curtain shutters of` 'lhe---tylley defined inclaim 8', characterizedfbya 30 mechanism for swingingthe fstop against which thelparallel linksfmay rest to various positions, anclfav manual` setting mechanism for swinging the stop:` and comprising: a sickle-shaped lever,

and afpinA carried :byu one of the 'coaxially-mount 35` edc'rollers forfengaging'and moving-they sickle-vr shaped 'i lever after anexposureemaking move-A ment of 'the' coaxially-mounted rollers, said pinalsofmoving-thefsickleeshaped leverfto an opera-` tive position whenwmovedin anvoppositel-direc 40 tion for setting the.f shutter.

13.- In a-:focal'pla'ne shutter of the type emv ployingftwo` curtains'andwtheir tapes, two springv rollers, one attached to one end of each-:curtain andrcoaxial rollers, at least one of which sup- 45,` portsfthe opposite end'of one curtain, and an other of. whichisupportsY the opposite end of the second curtain, a`^ curtain-controllingy device comprising aV plurality Otfinterme-shing gears interconnectinglthe coaxiallyy arranged rollers and" 50 including' planetary gears, one ofsaid gears beingI attache d: to :ay coaxial roller Supporting'V one e curtain; aneth-err gear Vbeing attached to a coaxialv yroller supporting the other curtain,` planetaryv gearing connectingthegearsf attached' tothe cur- 55;

tai-nrollers; whereby said curtains may be made-r tofrmove togethergurneans for holding the axes of 2 the.f iearsxin'xedxrelationr and mean-s for shifting the axlallocation'of the planetary-gears relatlvectothe'. gears `attachedto said rollers whereby;y 60

onewcurtainr may'fbe moved relative to another, aashutter 1atch,.means for-releasingl the latchwhereby the spring rollers mayfmove the curtains tosmakean :exp osurey while holding the ,planetary gears againstrmovement'andmeansfor releasingA 65..

the holding` means at the .endv of an exposure` Wherebysaid planetary rollers may shift their axial. relationship, Vto the rollers attached to one" endlof the. curtains wherebyone: curtainmay-`r move; relative to theothers. to closev the exposure. 701- slottherebetween.

licln a focal plane-shutter` of the type-'emeploying two curtainsfandtheir tapes, two springV rollers, one-attachedtoone end. of each curtainfandcoaxialfrollers, ,at least one of which sup;` 75;

ports 'the :opposite end of one curtain, and an other of which supports'the'oppositez,endoi'thesecond curtain',l a .curtaimcontrolling devicecomprising a pluralityy ofintermeshing gearsinterconnecting,y the coaxially arrangedv rollers'l and including vplanetary gear-s, one of said gears beingI attached to aV coaxial roller supporting one curtain, another gear being attached to a coaxial roller, supportingtheother curtain, planetary gearingrconnecting thev gears attached to the curtain rollers whereby said curtains maybe made to move together; means forholding the gears in xed relation'and means for shifting Ithe axial location ofthe planetary gears relative to thegearsattached to said rollers whereby one curtain may bev-movedl relative to'another, a shutter latch; mean-s for releasing the latch whereby the spring rollers may move the curtains to make annexposure, means for-holding the axes ofthe planetary gears against movement after the latch is released and means for releasing the holding means at the end of an exposure whereby'said planetary gears mayshift their axial relationshipl to the rollers attached to one end of the` curtains whereby one curtain may move relative to vthek other to close the exposure slottherebetween, and'means for latching-.the curtains closed preventing the planetary gears from shifting their axial relationship ywith the rollers after an exposure is completed, and means forl setting the'sh-utter while said-curtains are so' latched.

151 In a focal planefshutter ofthe-type employingy two curtains and theirtapes,v two` spring rollers, one attached to' onenend of each curtain and coaxial rollers, at least one orvwhichY supports the opposite endof-one curtain, andy another of which supports the opposite end of` the secondycurtain, a-curtain-.controlling devicecomprising a plurality of intermeshing gears' interconnecting'.l thel coaxially arrangedrollers anddincluding planetary gears, one of--said gearsr` being attached to. a coaxial roller'supporting onez curtain, another'gearlbeing attached to a coaxial. roller supportingV thefother curtain, planetariagearingrconnecting the gears attached'itothe'cur: tain-rollers whereby' said curtains may be'madef towmovetogether, means for holding the gears in fixedyrelation and means for shiftingtheaxial locationofthe planetary-gears relative-to the gears attached to said rollers'whereby one cur-.- tai-n ymay be movedA relative to another, ash-utterlatch, means forreleasing the latchwhereby the. sprin-grollers may move the curtainsl to `make-rA an: exposure;` means for holding.- the axes.: of. planetary gears against movement and: means. for releasing` the holdingmeansat the end ,off an exposure whereby saidf planetary; gearsc may shift their axial'relationship to the-rol1ersfats tached to one endlofthecurtainsl whereby one-- curtain may move .relativeto theV other toy close,`

thef exposurefslot therebetween, and means-for-` latchingy the curtains closed preventing;l the:A

planetary gears from shifting-i their axial rela-A tionship with the rollers.- after an exposure =iscompleted; andmeans for setting the-,shutter while saidvcurtalns are so latchedl and alatch release-operable at the end of the lsetting-,movement to releasethe planetary gears for: axial.; movement to forman exposurefslot..

16;- In a focal plane shutter of 'the-type` employing two curtain-sand theirtapes',- two lspringrolle` ers,A one attached tolone endoffeachcurtainfandz coaxial rollers,` at least one on which supports the opposite endf of ,one curtain, and anotherzoflwhichi supports the opposite end of the second curtain, a curtain-controlling device comprising a plurality oi' intermeshing gears interconnecting the coaxially arranged rollers and including planetary gears, one ci said gears being attached to a coaxial roller supporting one curtain, another gear being attached to a coaxial roller supporting the other curtain, planetary gearing connecting the gears attached to the curtain rollers whereby said curtains may be made to move together, means for holding the gears in xed relation and means for shifting the axial location of the planetary gears relative to the gears attached to said rollers whereby one curtain may be moved relative to another, a shutter latch, means for releasing the latch whereby the spring rollers may move the curtains to make an exposure, means for holding the axes of the planetary gears against movement after the latch. is released and means for releasing the holding means at the end of an exposure whereby said planetary gears may shift their axial relationship to the rollers attached to one end of the curtains whereby one curtain may move relative to the other to close the exposure slot therebetween, and means for latching the curtains closed preventing the planetary gears from shifting their axial relationship with the rollers after an exposure is completed, and means for setting the shutter while said curtains are so latched, a speed stop for determining the width of an exposure slot, a latch release operable at the end of the setting movement to release the planetary gear for axial movement of the gears and relative movement of the curtains whereby a spring roller may move one curtain relative to the other to form an exposure slot while said planetary gears shift their axes until stopped by the speed stop.

17. In a focal plane shutter, the combination of a support including an exposure frame, a spring roller, a curtain attached thereto, a take-up roller attached to the other end thereof, a second spring roller, a second curtain attached thereto, a take-up roller coaxial with the first-mentioned take-up roller and attached to the other end of said second curtain, gears for gearing the curtains together by connecting the coaxially arranged rollers and comprising a gear carried 'by each of the coaxially-arranged, take-up rollers, a. Winding spindle including a gear, two planetary gears, one meshing with the winding spindle gear and the other with a take-up roller gear, a swingable support for the planetary gears, a latch element carried thereby, a latch for holding the swingable support against movement and the curtains in xed relation, means for releasing the latch at each end of the curtain movement for opening an exposure slot and for closing the exposure slot, and means for retaining the axes of the planetary gears and the curtains against relative movement as said curtains are wound across the exposure frame by the winding spindle gear, or as the curtains are moved across the exposure frame by their spring rollers in making an exposure.

18. In a focal plane shutter, the combination of a, support including an exposure frame, a spring roller, a curtain attached thereto, a take-up roller attached to the other end thereof, a second spring roller, a second curtain attached thereto, a take-up roller coaxial with the first-mentioned take-up roller and attached to the other end of said second curtain, gears for gearing the curtains together including one gear carried by each of the coaxially-arranged, take-up rollers, a winding spindle including a gear, two planetary gears, one meshing with the winding spindle gear and the other with a take-up roller gear, a swingable support for the planetary gears, a latch element carried thereby, a latch for holding the swingable support against movement and the curtains in fixed relation, means for releasing the latch at each end of the curtain movement for opening an exposure slot and for closing the exposure slot, and means for retaining the axes of the planetary gears and the curtains against relative movement as said curtains are wound across the exposure frame by the winding spindle gear, or as the curtains are moved across the exposure frame by their spring rollers in making an exposure, a manually adjustable stop to limit the movement of the planetary gear swingable support in a slot-opening direction, and means for adjusting said stop.

19. In a focal plane shutter, the combination of a support including an exposure frame, a spring roller, a curtain attached thereto, a takeup roller attached to the other end thereof, a second spring roller, a second curtain attached thereto, a take-up roller coaxial with the firstmentioned take-up roller and attached to the other end of said second curtain, gears for gearing the curtains together including one gear carried by each of the coaxially-arranged, take-up rollers, a winding spindle including a gear, two planetary gears, one meshing with the winding spindle gear and the other with a take-up roller gear, a swingable support for the planetary gears, a latch element carried thereby, a latch for holding the swingable support against movement and the curtains in xed relation, means for releasing the latch at each end of the curtain movement for opening an exposure slot and for closing the exposure slot, and means for retaining the axes of the planetary gears and the curtains against relative movement as said curtains are wound across the exposure frame by the winding spindle gear, or as the curtains are moved across the exposure frame by their spring rollers in making an exposure, a manually adjustable stop to limit the movement of the planetary gear swingable support in a slot-opening direction, and means for adjusting said stop, and a sickle-shaped lever pivotally mounted and movable to control the position of said stop to an `operative position.

20. In a focal plane shutter, the combination of a support including an exposure frame, a spring roller, a curtain attached thereto, a take-up roller attached to the other end thereof, a second spring roller, a second curtain attached thereto, a takeup roller coaxial with the iirst-mentioned take-up roller and attached to the other end of said second curtain, gears for gearing the curtains together including one gear carried by each of the coaxially-arranged, take-up rollers, a winding spindle including -a gear, two planetary gears, one meshing with the winding spindle gear and the other with a take-up roller gear, a swingable support for the planetary gears, a latch element carried thereby, latching mechanisms for holding the swingable support against movement and the curtains in fixed relation, means for releasing the latching mechanisms at each end of the curtain movement for opening an exposure slot and for closing the exposure slot, and means for retaining the axes of the planetary gears and the curtains against relative movement as said curtains are wound across the exposure frame by the winding spindle gear, or as the curtains are moved across the exposure frame by their spring rollers auaeov in' makingzani exposure, av manually adjustable stop to limit the `movement .of the planetary gear swingable support in a slot-opening direction, and means for adjusting said stop, and a sickle-shaped lever pivotally mounted against which said manually adjustable stop is spring-pressed, said sickleshaped lever being movable -to control the position of said stop to an operative position, a pin o-n a coaXially-arranged curtain roller for moving the sickle-shaped lever after an exposuremaking movement of the curtains, whereby the springy rollers may move the curtains to close the exposure slot.

21. In a focal plane shutter, the combination oa support including an exposure frame, a spring roller, a curtain attached thereto, a take-up roller attached to the other end thereof, a second spring roller,a second curtain attached thereto, a takeup roller coaxial with the first-mentioned takeup roller and attached to the other end of said second curtain, gears for gearing the curtains together including one gear carried by each of the coaXiall'y-arranged, take-up rollers, a Winding spindle including a gear meshing With one coaxial roller gear and two planetary gears, one meshing with the Winding spindle gear and the other with a take-up roller gear thereby gearing the two curtains together, a swingable support for the planetary gears, a latch element carried thereby, latching mechanisms for holding the swingable support against movement and I the-` curtainsin: xedfrelationn means for releasing the latching mechanisms at eaclr endr oi the-cur?- tain movement for opening anr exposure slotand for closing the exposure slot, and: meansv forretaining theV axesof theplanetary gears andthe curtains against Irelative` movement asy said curtains are Wound across the exposure-frame by the Winding spindle gear, or as thef'curtainsane movedacross the exposurey frame by their" spring rollers in making an4 exposure, a manually' ad@ justable stop to limit the movement of they planetary gear svvingable` support in af slot-opening direction, and means foradjustingsaid stop, and. a sickle-shaped lever, ay spring for movingthe i stop against the sickle-shaped lever, said sickleshaped lever being pivotallyfmounted andfmovable to control the position of said' stop to .am operative position, a pin on a coaxially-arrangedcurtain roller for moving ther sickle-shaped'lever after an exposure-making movement of the cur'- tains, whereby thek spring' rollers may move the curtains to close the exposure slot, said' pinionthe vcoaxiall'y'-arranged roller likewise moving the sickle-shaped lever to anvl operative position when' the shutter is Wound; and a manuallyl operable member for turning the Winding spindle gear for winding the curtains to aset position for making" an GXpOSuI'e.

JOSEPH MIHLYIL No references cited.' 

